"Ah, Lord Tyranus. You have finally arrived." Sidious grinned as his apprentice stepped into the darkened room overlooking Coruscant's industrial sector, now damaged after the battle that had been waged. Darth Tyranus knelt before him. He removed his hood, revealing his face, now scarred and deformed from his battle on Coruscant.
"Yes, my Master. Everything has been arranged, with my apparent demise aboard the Invisible Hand, the Confederacy is in panic. Grievous will not be able to hold them together for long, and, as you requested, the Confederacy leadership has fled to Mustafar while Grievous stands ready with his Army on Utapau."
"Good, good." Sidious sneered. "Everything is falling into place. Without their leaders the Separatists will fall. The Senate is under my control, they will not only vote in my favor… they will throw themselves at my feet while doing it."
Dooku nodded, "Excellent, Master. But, what of the Jedi who escaped during the battle?"
"A set back to be sure that they escaped, but… no matter, they can not hide forever. With the galaxy under our control, they will be hunted down as their brethren were."
"And shall I begin the hunt for them?" Dooku asked him.
"No. You are too easily recognized, Lord Tyrannus. I have another task for you. Come with me." He said, motioning his apprentice to follow him deeper into the building. They headed down into a containment area, more a prison with his designs in place, and settled in the center of it in a containment field was his prize. Master Windu hung there suspended by the force field, one of his arms missing, and a deep scar ran up the side of his face, which left him blind in one eye. Still, Sidious had to admit, he had lasted longer than most other Jedi would. Master Fisto had been turned to ash from the power of his lightning.
"Master Windu has proven his strength and ability, he was almost able to match me in a duel. And with his… peculiar style, I feel he should be… rewarded. You are to begin building a new order of dark disciples loyal only to me. And you will start with Master Windu." He said.
The Jedi forced his head up at this, and spit in their direction, "I will never. Give in. To the Sith." He managed to get out.
Sidious chuckled, "Such confidence for a man already beaten." He said before firing more lightning, causing the Jedi Master to scream in pain. After a moment, he released it and turned to his apprentice. "I expect results Lord Tyrannus, do not fail me." He said.
His apprentice bowed to him, "I shall not, my Master."
"Good, good. In addition to Master Windu, there are others here, captured Jedi and force sensitives with no training alike. I am eager to see your… abilities." He told him. "But for now, I must attend to the Senate, those fools. They are prepared to vote themselves from power, and my new order shall take its place." He said before turning away, leaving his apprentice to his devices. By the end of this, he would see who was more fit, Lord Tyrannus, or Mace Windu. Even then, they were but stepping stones, they would only be used to see who would lead him to Skywalker.
Anakin settled into a meditation position inside the new room that had been given to him and Padme, this was the Liberations in-port room, normally designed for the ships captain to entertain VIP's when docked, it'd been allocated to the only family on the ship. He was thankful to Master Kota for this kindness, even if the Jedi had said he never used it. He took a slow, deep, breath, settling in on his mind and the force. He had to understand more, more than what the Jedi had taught him about the force, more than what he'd learned from the Jedi Archives, he had to understand the very essence of the force itself. Anakin closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, he was back on the bridge of the unknown Venator, the damage from his battle last time gone. Staring at him from across the bridge was his dark side, the same mechanical breathing, the same black uniform, cape, and mask that still sent a chill down his spine. However, he felt a presence behind him and turned, freezing when he did. Behind him, sitting at the back of the bridge was… him… it was him when he was a child, back when he'd first started his path to being a Jedi.
"Why have you returned?" His dark side questioned.
Anakin took a breath, "I wish to understand." He said.
"Understand what?" This time it was the younger him, which he now recognized as his light side. Back when he was innocent.
"The Force… the light… the dark… all of it." He said.
Both his light and dark side looked to him, standing now. There was silence between them, as neither looked at him but stared the other down, as though in a silent debate. "We… cannot teach you." They said as one.
Anakin looked to them, a spike of irritation causing his light side to flinch back and his dark side to stand straighter before he calmed himself. "Why not, you're my light and dark sides?" He said.
"That is exactly why. We are your light and dark sides. Built upon your experiences, your prejudices, your training and life. We can only show you what you already know" His dark side said.
"We can't teach you, but there is one who can. You just need to let him in." His light side told him. Anakin sighed some, but nodded and took a breath.
"Show me." He said. Both his light and dark side settled into a meditative stance, Anakin returned to his own, and as one, focused with them. It took a moment, but then a familiar presence washed over him. Part the force, part the man who'd opened his eyes to it all. One of the blast doors on the Venator hissed open.
"Anakin, it is good to see you again." Anakin's eyes opened to see Qui Gon standing before him, a comforting smile on the mans face.
"Master Jinn." Anakin said. "I… but you were a Jedi, dedicated to the light."
The Jedi Master smiled as he sat. "Yes, I was. But the force has shown me many things. It's will is that I show you." He told him. "This will be very new, and very similar to you Anakin, but I assure you, it is the training and learning you seek. Anakin nodded and prepared himself, he was ready.
"Focus on the Force, neither light nor dark, only the Force." Master Jinn told him. Anakin concentrated more, focusing in on the energy that surrounded them all. He began to see flashes as the force took hold. He saw the Galaxy in his mind, millions of stars and planets, an indescribable amount which showed the true expanse of the force, that it was everywhere. Then he saw flashes of those planets. The sprawling forests of Kashyyyk, the lake country of Naboo, sprawling cities and small villages. The images changed again, and he now saw a forest fire rage on a planet, a tsunami crashing towards a city, a Rhodian family with their father as he took his last breath. Once again the images changed. Crops just sprouting from a farmer's soil, a newborn Fathier foal taking its first steps, and a flash of his Padme, resting quietly on the couch, one hand placed on her stomach where their children grew.
A warmth washed over him, like the gentle sun of Naboo or his mothers embrace, followed by a coldness which he could only compare to some of the winter worlds they'd been on during the war. He saw flashes of peace; of a growing family, of children playing, of everyday life. Then he saw violence; the still ongoing Clone Wars, fighting between two gangs with civilians involved, a man abusing his slaves. One thing stayed constant though, between the good and the bad images, the Force was present with all. Never the light nor the dark side only, but both, the Force as a whole. The Force was life and death, light and dark, it was everywhere and part of everything.
Anakin opened his eyes again to see Master Jinn sitting before him. "The Force surrounds everything Anakin, it is what binds our universe together. Everything you saw, to one degree or another, was a natural part of the force. The goal of the Jedi, even if we never stated it, wasn't to ever destroy the dark side of the force. You can't destroy the dark side, you cannot stop it. It would be like trying to prevent death, war, loss."
Anakin interrupted, "But that sounds like something a Sith would do." He said.
Qui Gon nodded, "That's exactly what the Sith try to do, although not through the dark sides destruction, but through the unnatural manipulation of it. By bending the dark side to their will instead of following the will of the Force. This is why the Jedi fight the Sith, not because they follow the dark side, but because they manipulate it and, by extension, the force to achieve their goals."
Anakin took a breath and looked at his own dark side who stood at the far side of the bridge, staring him down. "Then that means… this isn't just my dark side."
"No. It isn't. His power comes from how much Palpatine manipulated you and from your own fears. Vader is not just your dark side, he is your desire to control it, to control the force… and to stop those you care about from dying."
"Padme…" Both Anakin and Vader breathed out at once. Anakin sighed, "I just… I am so afraid of loosing her Master."
"Anakin." Master Jinn said, reaching a hand out and placing it on his shoulder, comforting him. "Everyone is afraid of losing those who have meaning in their life. Everyone is afraid of death to some degree or another, be it for themselves or for a loved one. But… you can not let that fear consume you. This is why the Jedi teach to let go of attachments, although that is steadily changing to a degree." He smiled some.
"Then… what do I do Master? I… what about the visions I had of Padme?" Anakin asked.
"When was the last time you had these visions?" Qui Gon asked knowingly. Anakin thought back, and the shock of it hit him. The visions had steadily dropped off to nothing not long after they'd began planning Palpatine's arrest. "Those visions were a manifestation of your fears amplified by Palpatine, Anakin. He was trying to turn you to the dark side to become his apprentice because of how strong you are with the Force. He may still try to do so someday."
Anakin nodded some, but it still didn't answer his question about his fear of losing Padme. Qui Gon sighed. "Anakin… you need to accept something that, at some point, we all must. Death is inevitable. It is the one inevitability that every being in the galaxy shall face. We can not stop it, because it is part of the Force. We are all formed as part of the force, and we shall all return to it when we die."
Anakin didn't want to hear that, and tears formed in his eyes. A slight sob escaped him as he fought with what Master Jinn had told him. For so long he'd just focused on life that death had slipped from his mind. The fact that eventually he would lose Padme no matter what had been pushed so far away. "T…then what's the point in all of it?" He choked out.
Qui Gon pressed the flat of his palm to Anakin's forehead, and a series of visions from his own life flooded his mind. His first meeting with Padme, their time in hiding on Naboo, the joy of their wedding, all those little moments together during the war, and finally the realization that they would be parents. All such joy-filled moments, great memories for him that he cherished.
"This is why Anakin. All these moments. It isn't to be constantly looking into the unknown, to be looking ahead fearing what might happen. To be constantly worried about when we might lose them. It's to enjoy the time we do have with them, to cherish it. And… when we do lose someone, it's to use those memories, those good times, to help us heal and to hold close the time we did have with them." Qui Gon said. "This is what you should focus on Anakin." He said softly.
Anakin nodded some, "So… I don't have to completely let go?" He asked. Qui Gon shook his head.
"No, you don't Anakin. You don't have to cut yourself off from those you love, you don't have to stop feeling. Just do not go against the will of the Force." Qui Gon said, helping Anakin to stand. Anakin took a deep breath and nodded some. He felt at peace, at least somewhat. "Someday we must all become one with the Force, Anakin. To try and prevent this is unnatural… to bend the Force to ones will, and to go completely against it, this is the very definition of the Sith."
Anakin nodded, it still hurt, but he knew that it was better this way. He couldn't protect everyone from everything, he could try to keep Padme and his friends safe, but to go against the Force to do so… it would corrupt him and do more harm to his friends than he ever wanted to, it could even cause the thing he wanted to avoid. "Thank you, Master Jinn." He said. He would focus on cherishing his time with his family, and on trying to save the Republic. He looked around some, his dark and light sides were both gone, not just in hiding, but gone and settled within himself. A weight was off his shoulders.
Anakin opened his eyes. He was back in their room on the Liberation. He looked around some and two things caught his eye. First was Padme curled up on the meditation pad with him, her head laid in his lap. The second was Ahsoka sleeping peacefully on the couch. Anakin couldn't help but smile some and pressed a kiss to Padme's forehead. When he pulled away, two brown eyes stared back up at him, a smile to them as she looked up at him. "Hey, Angel." He said, smiling a bit.
"Ani…" She smiled some, stretching. "You okay? You were crying earlier as you meditated." She told him.
Anakin smiled some, "I'm fine. Master Jinn showed me some things… I… I've made peace with what's been inside me." He said. Padme smiled at him and wrapped her arms around him.
"Anakin, that's wonderful. I… I'd been so worried." She smiled. Anakin helped her up.
"I'm okay Padme, I'm okay." He told her as he stood up, her coming with him. "I'm not going to fall to the dark side." He murmured before glancing to Ahsoka again. "When did she get here?" He asked, chuckling a bit.
"Oh…" Padme took a moment to glance at the wall Chrono. "About an hour ago, you've been in meditation for two and a half." She said, shaking her head. "We were just talking and she nodded off… she hasn't been getting much sleep. I think what happened back on Coruscant is affecting her." Padme said softly.
Anakin nodded, "Let's let her rest then, she's earned it." He said softly as he separated from Padme long enough to go get an extra blanket and lay it over his Padawan's sleeping form. Anakin then let out a yawn of his own. "Speaking of sleep… I think we've both earned some too." He smiled some. Padme took his hand, and with a smile, pulled him to their bedroom.
"Alright boys, gather round!" Rex called out as he, Cody, and Fordo walked forward. The men all hurried over to the space they'd cleared for meetings just like this, just over a hundred of his brothers, consisting of a handful of pilots, a few vehicle operators, and infantry. He'd woke up early to meet with Cody and Fordo over just what they'd do about unit reorganization. Both of their personal legions had been gutted by the number of men who'd chosen to stay loyal to Palpatine, and it still pained Rex to have to consider those men the enemy now, even then, they were still his brothers.
"We've been talking about how we're gonna manage the units and, the simple fact is, it's better to reorganize the 501st and the 212th into a singular unit," Cody announced. There was a lot of muttering about that among the men. For many, their unit became as much a part of them as their name did. "I know boys. It was a hard decision for us to make, but you gotta look at it this way. Right now, we aren't even at the strength of a full company of clones with our units combined. We've got about three platoons of infantry, enough vehicle crewmen for an ATTE and some ATRT's, and a dozen flight crew from the Larty's." Cody said.
Fordo spoke up now, "In addition, my squad will act in special operations and help Captain Rex and Commander Cody in training you boys up. You're all combat veterans, but we're going to give you extra training. Specifically, you will all receive as much ARC training as possible." He said, causing a ripple of some excitement among the troopers. Rex stepped forward.
"Simple fact is men, we're cut off from regular supply, from any kind of reinforcement, from all of the Logistics we had as part of the GAR. Even then, there's still a lot of fighting to be done. For ourselves, for our brothers, for our Jedi, and for the entire Republic. We have to show the galaxy, and especially our brothers, what kind of evil Palpatine really is." Rex said. "So, who's with us?" There were nods of assent at that from the troopers before them, and all snapped to attention after a moment. Rex nodded, "Alright then. From this day forward, we are all part of the Free Clone Legion. Let's make it one to be proud of." He said.
"Alright, all of you keep an eye on your data pads for your new assignments. We will try to keep as many squads and teams together as possible." Cody said, "For now though, I have a task for you to all start working on, we're gonna need some new colors, but we'd also like to incorporate the old ones. See what you boys can do. Dismissed!" Cody barked. As the men dispersed, Cody looked to him and Fordo. "General Kenobi just alerted me that we're needed in the war room." He said, motioning to follow.
"So, how do you think the new unit name will go over?" Rex asked, to which Cody shrugged.
"Boys seemed pretty receptive to it, a little morale boost stating our goal here at freeing our brothers," Cody said.
"I think they'll take to it with time, most seemed more open to the prospect of getting ARC training though." Fordo said, looking to them. "They'll need it too, you've both trained up excellent troopers, hardened combat veterans, but they're used to the more expansive battles as part of the GAR instead of operating in a smaller group." He said. "Not that three 'toons with armor is small."
Rex nodded, as did Cody. It was odd, because even though Rex was equal in rank to Fordo, and Cody technically outranked him, Fordo was older. While he and Cody had still been training on Kamino to become commanders, Fordo had been out in the field. As such, they both took the Captain's advice seriously, especially after what he'd done at Muunilinst and Hypori. "No, it isn't small, but it is vulnerable. We can't replace our numbers in men, at least not from clone troopers." Rex added. "It's a tight spot, but the extra training, as well as developing some tactics, should certainly help."
As they walked, Rex noted the looks they were getting from the regular crew and infantry forces of the ship. Some were just slightly untrustworthy, and others were outright scowls of suspicion like they expected Rex to pull out his blasters and start firing. It hurt… but part of him understood the distrust. He'd felt it himself after Krell had betrayed them, and now his brothers had betrayed the Republic for a madman, chip or no. He didn't care for it though and hoped that all it would take was time for the two sides to bond together better. He slipped into the turbolift with the others and headed for the bridge.
The Jedi were already gathered there when they arrived, along with the ship's captain and General Kota, Senator Skywalker was leaned against the General, and they were all looking at a Holo-Net News clip. "Generals," Cody said as they all came to stand around the table.
"Commander, Captains." General Kenobi said. "We were able to pick this transmission up, we felt you should see it as well." He told them before pressing play. The video showed the inside of a military base with all the senators gathered around. Up on a podium, already speaking, was the hooded form of what could only be the Supreme Chancellor. One of the comms officers resumed the video.
"…and with the Separatist failure, the Jedi Rebellion has been foiled." He paused, letting applause among the senator's calm. "The remaining Jedi will be hunted down and defeated. The attempt on my life has left me scarred, and deformed, but I assure you. My resolve has never been stronger!" Palpatine announced, adjusting the hood on his head. "In order to ensure security and continuing stability. The Republic will be reorganized into the First Galactic Empire! For a safe and secure society!" He shouted at the end before his voice was drowned out by the thunderous applause of every senator in the room. Rex balled his hands into fists, taking a deep breath. So the Supreme Chancellor… now Emperor had done it. He'd gained absolute power, and his brothers had helped. He heard Senator Amidala speak.
"So this is how liberty dies… with thunderous applause." She breathed.
"No. Die it shall not. Victorious, Palpatine may be… but total, his support is not. After all, remain, do we." General Yoda spoke up.
The Senator nodded some, "And we aren't alone… plenty of people were disgruntled by the Republics corruption and controlling tendencies, that's how the Separatists were able to get so many planets behind them in the first place. We just have to wait for Palpatine to show his true hand, and be ready to be there for when people want that help."
"Alright, but, what can we do until then?" General Kota asked.
"Ah, we've actually been discussing that possibility." General Kenobi said as he, General and Senator Skywalker, and Commander Tano stepped forward. "First, we know the Separatists, Dooku, and therefore Palpatine was after the list of younglings that the Jedi kept. From what I've gathered… we were unable to delete that list before being pushed from the Temple."
"Mmm… in search of younglings to turn to the dark side Palpatine… no… Darth Sidious may be." Master Yoda spoke up.
"Exactly, Grand Master. We were thinking that one of our objectives could be trying to rescue these younglings… even if we can't train them."
"What are you saying, Master Skywalker?" General Mundi spoke.
"I am saying that we are in no position to bring that many younglings aboard this ship. We honestly need to find someplace we can establish into a base, where we can hide. Even then, we aren't going to be able to reestablish the order to its previous strength. We do not have the supplies for that, much less the manpower, facilities, and frankly the ability to mask that many untrained force signatures on our own. If Sidious reached out with the Force… we'd be glowing like a beacon of light side energy." General Skywalker said.
General Kenobi nodded, "Anakin is right… we can't bring in dozens or hundreds of infants aboard the ship… we just don't have the facilities for that. Much less the supplies. We have plenty of food that can keep adults, and even younger children, properly fed. But infants are a very different matter. We would need a proper planet to reestablish the order on, someplace that would have a strong enough force signature to hide our own… or even better yet someplace hidden by the force." He said.
"Then what do you suggest?" General Ti questioned.
"I suggest we rescue as many as we can… even if we can't get them all." General Skywalker started. "But we find them, and their families if possible, or if the empire gets to them first then just them, and we get them off world and hidden."
The Senator nodded, "It's possible that Senator Organa could help us. He was my strongest supporter in helping refugee's, orphans, and families in need." She said.
Yoda nodded at this, "Hmm, consider this, we shall. Something, we must do."
Commander Tano nodded, "Thank you Master. In addition, we need to gather those allies. And I know there are some reservations… but I feel like Mandalore would be a place to start. They wanted the help of the Republic and the Jedi. They're fighting Darth Maul as well. If we help them. Mandalore and its neutrality could very easily become a strong ally to us."
"I have my reservations of challenging Maul… He is very dangerous, and he has a lot of crime cartels under his command. But… Ahsoka is right. She worked with the next generations of Mandalorians during her time there, she learned a lot about them. Maul as their leader has plunged them into civil war and could give the Empire enough reason to intervene in the waning hours of the Clone Wars. I feel we must go back." General Kenobi added.
Master Yoda nodded, "Agree, I do… but careful, we must be. Much to think over we have, and a plan of action, we must develop. Guide us, the Force shall. Meditate, develop potential ideas, I ask of all of you. Rex, Cody, Fordo, valued your inputs would be. Welcome to join us in deliberations, you are."
Rex nodded, "We'd be honored Sir."
Yoda smiled some, "Good. Then begin, we shall." He said, motioning to them all. Rex nodded and threw himself into what quickly became a meeting of strategy. He grinned some, it might take some time to get the ball rolling, but Rex could feel it down in his gut. The Emperor better watch his back.
Hey guys, well, back with the first post of the new year. I love getting sick to the point all I want to do is sleep, so much fun! I hope all of you guys had a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.
I hope you guys don't mind a dialogue heavy chapter. These will happen, quite a bit at times. This is the early stages of any kind of rebellion, in fact, there isn't a rebellion, much less a rebel alliance, just a bunch of people trying to survive and find some way to resist and rebel against the Empire. But things will pick up with time. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy, feel free to leave some feedback and,
May the Force be with you.
